by James Dodd
Date: Sunday, January 24th, 2021
Pro14: Connacht v Ospreys
Kick Off: 15:00
Venue: The Sportsground
OSPREYS will be hoping for their third consecutive win in the Guinness Pro14 when they travel to Galway to face Connacht on Sunday afternoon.
Toby Booth has named a strong starting 15, which includes the likes of George North, Owen Watkin, Mat Protheroe and Rhys Webb in the backline.
The ever-reliable Stephen Myler also starts at 10.
Dan Lydiate, who was a surprise call up to Wayne Pivac’s Wales Six Nations squad, starts. He is joined in the backrow by captain Justin Tipuric.
Rhodri Jones and Adam Beard are involved after their good news of being selected in Wayne Pivac’s squad as well.
The hosts have made several changes from their agonising defeat to Munster two weekends ago.
Jarrad Butler returns and captains the side at blindside flanker.
Meanwhile in the backs Kieran Marmion and Conor Fitzgerald start at nine and 10 respectively.
Peter Robb starts for the first time this season at inside centre, after fighting a groin injury.
Irish international Bundee Aki returns on the bench.
Ospreys come into this after winning two out of three of their festive Welsh Derbies, with their only loss coming at the hands of the Scarlets on Boxing Day.
Since then an impressive forward display against the Blues and an entertaining win over the Dragons has put them in good stead to confirm qualification for next year’s Heineken Champions Cup.
The Swansea based side currently sit third in conference A with 22 points, after having won five of their 10 league matches.
In all competitions, they have only lost one of their last six.
✈️Ready for take-off
Next stop ➡️ Ireland
Huge thanks as always to @Cardiff_Airport for our safe departure 💪#OspreysOnTheHunt pic.twitter.com/FSD7ynZRYS
— Ospreys (@ospreys) January 23, 2021
After Cardiff Blues’ win last night against the Scarlets, Connacht have fallen to third in conference B, with both teams sitting on 26 points.
However, with three games in hand over the capital Welsh region, Connacht look good to again be playing in the top European competition.
This will not make Connacht coach, Andy Friend, forget that his side have only won one of their last five encounters. Surprisingly, this was an away scalp over defending champions Leinster.
Booth is aware that travelling to Connacht isn’t like your normal away match.
“I have not been out to Connacht for a few years but have had experience of being there in the European competitions,” the Englishman told the media.
“I have seen kick-offs go behind the kicker, seen conversions go through the posts and then back through it, so we know we have to be adaptable with and without the wind.
“We know we need flexibility in what we do, and we will see what the conditions are, and the early reports are that it may be more favourable than a normal January.”
The match kicks off at 3pm in Galway on Sunday.
Teams:
Connacht: John Porch, Peter Sullivan, Tom Daly, Peter Robb, Alex Wootton, Conor Fitzgerald, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Quinn Roux, Jarrad Butler (captain), Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.
Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Matthew Burke, Conor Kenn, Gavin Thornbury, Abraham Papali’i, Caolin Blade, Bundee Aki, Matt Healy.
Ospreys: Dan Evans, George North, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Mat Protheroe, Stephen Myler, Rhys Webb; Rhodri Jones, Sam Parry, Ma’afu Fia, Adam Beard, Rhys Davies, Will Griffiths, Justin Tipuric (captain), Dan Lydiate.
Replacements: Ifan Phillips, Gareth Thomas, Tom Botha, Lloyd Ashley, Morgan Morris, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Josh Thomas, Keelan Giles.